'trust_' Poster

David Schwimmer's statement re: online predators.

Haven't thought much of this movie so far. Trailers seem correct enough -- very sober mood, good camera, solid performances, etc. Catherine Keener and Clive Owen make 'trust_' more attractive to be sure, but it doesn't click. Seems made-for-TV. Doesn't grab me.

This poster doesn't help -- very literal graphic that comes off trite, rather than menacing. Almost makes light of the subject matter. The imagery has no weight, gravitas. Flirts with being silly.

Had written the effort off until I noticed the writers: Andy Bellin and Robert Festinger. Don't know Bellin but Festinger fashioned the screenplay from the short story 'Killings' by Andre Dubus, which was beautifully directed by Todd Field with the title 'In the Bedroom'.

A more well-crafted film (than 'In the Bedroom') you won't find. Some sequences are very macabre, extremely suspenseful. Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek deliver compelling performances. The story sizzles, sweeps you along. Direction is masterful. A real-life psychological horror story. If 'trust_' brings the same energy it'll be a gripping movie.

Admittedly, that's a simplistic conclusion. Todd Field is the maestro who also made 'Little Children' and has quickly established himself as an auteur. So far, Schwimmer has directed episodes of 'Friends', Joey', and other TV shows along with a couple TV movies. His only theatrical feature, 'Run, Fatboy, Run', received mixed reviews. For Schwimmer to raise his game to Field's level would be an admirable accomplishment. (Not for him per se, for anybody).

Characters in movies like this are so delicate, interplay between actors so subtle, poor decisions or lack of vision on the director's part can wreck everything. While I'm more interested in seeing 'trust_' because of Festinger's involvement, the script is only a blueprint. The movie is Schwimmer's to make or break.